The family of Jacob Zuma are deliberating taking legal actions against an artist who painted the president in a sexual position with one of SA’s wealthiest men.

Ayanda Mabulu, who has been called a controversial porn artist didn’t just make the lewd painting which showed Zuma in a sexual position with Atul Gupta, co-owner of Sahara Groups, one of the country’s richest companies, he also made it a part of an exhibition on the status-quo in the country after apartheid.

The painting is being exhibited at the Ruben Pasha gallery at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Jacob Zuma in lewd position with Gupta

This sin’t Mabulu’s first encounter with the Zumas. In 2012, Drum confirmed he made an ‘Umshini Wam’ painting of the president which depicted Jacob Zuma wearing traditional Zulu regalia, with his right leg raised and his private parts exposed.

Edward Zuma speaking on behalf of the family said, Ayanda Mabulu had disrespected the rights of the president.

He stated that although the artist and everyone else had the right to freely express their views according to the constitution, the Gupta-painting was “shocking, disturbing, disrespectful and disgusting”, therefore legal actions would be taken against him.

Zuma said, “The Constitution says that every right has a limit and has a responsibility. We feel insulted that Ayanda Mabulu has abused his Constitutional right, infringing on our privacy.”

Ayanda’s painting of Zuma

He continued, “Depicting an elder in the manner in which he has depicted the president clearly shows that he has no regard for others. Just because you have a right, it does not mean that you should disregard other people’s rights.”

“As a family, we feel offended and we are waiting to hear from other artists denouncing the painting, because their silence will indicate that they support his views. We are already looking at taking legal action.”

The family has called on the government to look into the affair and is pushing the hand of South African Human Right’s Commission to take action against Mabulu.

Jacob Zuma painted in controversial sex position

“Those NGOs who are against pornography should not be silent on this matter, unless they too have been captured.” The Zuma family spokesman said, “It is [the painting] insensitive because the president has young children and there are young children all over the world that will see that painting.”

“What example are we setting to young children in the country? As a family we condemn this painting and we call on South Africans to condemn it as well. Mabulu must be stopped.”

“The president is currently traveling and that painting is all over the internet. This is embarrassing for South Africa. Some South Africans are abusing the Constitution. Freedom of expression must come with dignity and respect.”